Support groups improve rates of survival in cancer patients
Support groups improve rates of survival in cancer patients
Here’s an effective cancer-fighter with a guarantee of no adverse side effects: talk.
Breast cancer survivors had better survival rates when they participated in weekly sessions with other cancer survivors and a clinical psychologist.
Researchers at the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Ohio State University recruited more than 220 women who had received surgery to address breast cancer. Half participated in the weekly sessions for four months (sessions were conducted monthly for an additional eight months), and half did not.
Patients in the intervention group were also given tips to improve health behaviors and reduce stress.
The Ohio State team followed up to assess the health of all subjects about a decade later.
RESULTS:
- Patients who participated in the intervention group and later died lived for an average of 6.1 years
- Patients who didn’t participate in the intervention group and later died lived for an average of 4.8 years
- Patients in the intervention group were also less likely to die of other cancers or heart disease
Although I’m sure most cancer centers offer this sort of support system, cancer patients can also find help on the web at Cancer Survivors On Line (cancersurvivors.org), and Breast Cancer Support (bcsupport.org).
Source:
“Intervention Boosts Breast Cancer Survival” Ivanhoe Newswire, 11/19/08, ivanhoe.com
